All
you ever wanted to know about the Congress but were too
afraid to ask.....
The
AHASA Congress website is stunning piece of artwork designed
by Trina Opperman. Do visit it through the link above.
Since the Australian World Congress in 2000, where South
Africa was persuaded to host the 6th World Congress, the
Afghan Hound Association of South Africa has been hard at
work. Firstly, they had to decide on a venue and there was
hardly any choice – it just had to be the world famous
‘Sun City’. This exciting conference venue is
situated in a natural crater in the middle of the African
bush, alongside the Pilanesberg National Game Park, where
you can see the big five – lion, leopard, elephant,
rhino and buffalo in their natural surroundings. Accommodated
in the sophisticated and elegant Cascades Hotel, situated
in beautiful tropical gardens with tumbling waterfalls,
weirs, lagoons and shaded walkways, delegates are just a
few minutes walk from the Congress venues.
The
Congress programme runs from the 6 – 9 May 2005. On
the evening of the 6th May, we will be holding the Welcome
Cocktail Party in the Royal Chamber at the Palace Hotel,
alongside the life size sculpture of the famous elephant
‘Shawu’. On the 7 May, the 24th Afghan Hound Association
of Southern Africa Specialty Show will be held on the ‘Bowling
Green’ below the Cascades Hotel. The showground is
surrounded by palms and indigenous trees with a wonderful
view looking across the Sun City golf course. A picnic basket
luncheon will be served on the lawns around the show ring.
Betsy Hufnagel (USA) is judging dogs, Norma Hitch (UK) is
judging bitches, and Dr Paul Hewitt (Aust) is the Referee.
It will indeed be a sight to behold almost 80 glorious Afghans
entered in this illustrious show. South African Afghans
are very cosmopolitan, with many imports over the years
from UK, USA, Australia, Sweden, Germany, Canada, Spain
and other centres. On the evening of the 7th, we are very
honoured to have June Leitch hold a fun and exciting sculpture
workshop. High Tea will be served during the workshop. The
Congress proceedings will be held in the Baobab Conference
Room at the Sun City Hotel with morning and afternoon coffee/tea
breaks and a finger fork luncheon. A treat is in store for
Afghan enthusiasts with a diverse selection of experts from
around the world to address us on a wide range of fascinating
breed-related topics.
It's
obviously too late to enter your Afghans, but you are welcome
to take a drive out to Sun City on Saturday 7 May and join
us for a glorious day at ringside with the cream of South
african Afghan Hounds on show.
